Delphi () is a city in and the county seat of Carroll County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. Located twenty minutes northeast of Lafayette, it is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,961 at the 2020 census.

History

Delphi was platted in 1828. It took its name from the ancient city of Delphi, in Greece. Several months after Delphi was founded, it was designated as the county seat.

The Barnett-Seawright-Wilson House, Carroll County Courthouse, Delphi City Hall, Delphi Courthouse Square Historic District, Delphi Methodist Episcopal Church, Foreman-Case House, and Niewerth Building are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Local heritage centers on the Wabash and Erie Canal, a canal and towpath that once bound together northern, central, and southern Indiana. The segment of the canal that passes through Delphi has been rewatered and serves as the focus of canal activities. A visitor center and museum, the Wabash & Erie Canal Interpretive Center, welcomes guests.

thumb|Numerous infographic signs at the Interpretive Center detail the engineering and life around the canals, which once carried a variety of goods, culture, and people from the east into rural frontier land

Geography

According to the 2010 census, Delphi has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Delphi had a population of 2,961. The median age was 38.7 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.5 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,182 households in Delphi, of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.7% were married-couple households, 19.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Of the 1,135 households 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.1% of households were one person and 16.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.12.

The median age was 37.5 years. 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.3% were from 45 to 64; and 18% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 3,015 people, 1,161 households, and 748 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,241 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 92.57% White, 0.13% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 5.87% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.17%.

Notable people

  • William "Dick the Bruiser" Afflis, professional wrestler and football player
  • Moses E. Clapp, U.S. senator from Minnesota
  • William V. Lucas, U.S. representative from South Dakota
  • Doxie Moore, professional basketball coach
  • John Gould Moyer, 31st governor of American Samoa
  • Bob Olinger, last victim of Billy The Kid
  • Walter B. Rogers, musician and bandleader
  • Robert H. Shaffer, pioneer in the field of college student personnel and student affairs
  • Betty Wason, author/broadcast journalist
  • Gregory Wasson, president and CEO of Walgreens
  • Clarence Whistler, professional wrestler

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File:Delphi Indiana courthouse marker.png|Historical marker at the county courthouse

File:Delphii Indiana Milroy site.JPG|Site of Samuel Milroy's cabin

File:Delphi Indiana Downtown.JPG|The downtown area near the courthouse

File:Delphi,Indiana Wabash n Erie Canal.JPG|Wabash and Erie Canal (Canal Park)

File:Carroll - Deer Creek.jpg|Looking south at Washington and Main

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See also

  • Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Delphi
  • Murphy Memorial Drinking Fountain
  • Murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, known as the "Delphi murders" (2017)

References

  • City of Delphi, Indiana website